[center][h3]Riventor[/h3][/center] [center]~[@Rune_Alchemist]~[/center] [quote=Zasada][color=f6989d]"Now are you gonna offer me a drink and have a nice chat or just leave me alone out here dry as my canteen?"[/color][/quote] "[color=pink]Ahh, you're interested in the Shrine then?[/color]" Mayor Uma seemed enthused about the topic. "[color=pink]Come in, come in! What drinks would you like? I have all sorts of spirits in my home. Mostly strong ones but I have some for those with lighter livers.[/color]" "[color=green]I'll be taking my leave, then. See you around, Ursus.[/color]" The Archosaur bid farewell. The Kuranta mayor led you inside and into a well-decorated hallway. It was fancy, but not urban fancy. Hints of age were present everywhere. "[color=pink]Your friends are staying at the northern outskirts? Oh dear, the chicken lady up there isn't very hospitable. She's very protective of her sister. She isn't a menace to anyone so we just leave her alone. As for the other house...[/color]" Uma took a moment to find her words. "[color=pink]It was burned because... it was struck by lightning! Yes, it was very tragic for Hannah but that's just what happens sometimes.[/color]" It was an obvious lie. Uma then led you into a nice and wide chamber. It looked like a living room with one side having a pair of fancy wooden chairs with velvet pillows and a brightly-burning fireplace and the other side being the Shrine: A shrine that encompassed that entire side. A shelf containing the framed photos of various Kuranta people lined together was the centerpiece. Surrounding it was various exotic candles as well as all sorts of shiny gemstones. Vases of beautiful flowers joined the decorations, well-maintained judging from how healthy the plants were. "[color=pink]The Shrine has protected this village since time immemorial. Kept out the Cursed Rock and all those who are afflicted with it.[/color]" Uma began to explain before pointing at the photos. "[color=pink]Those are the village's ancestors and through the Shrine, they defend Riventor and its townspeople from harm. So long as the Shrine stands, the Cursed Rock cannot touch us.[/color]" [hr] [center][h3]North Riventor[/h3][/center] [center]~[@Lunarlord34], [@LiverisGood]~[/center] [quote=Medivac][color=808000]"Calm yourself Wu! They shouldn't be far. You were all together just recently correct? Then they shouldn't be too far. Double back and search the area,"[/color][/quote] "[color=orange]No, no! You don't get it! The forest, it takes people! It's already taken a number of us. We can't just head in there and find them. They're lost! I know, I've tried![/color]" Wu angrily retorted. "[color=springgreen]Wu, calm down. He didn't know yet.[/color]" Ibon's words managed to calm down. She was scared but she knew things needed to calm down. "[color=springgreen]I'm sorry, Medivac was it? We're all a little on edge right now. But Wu's right, finding people who got lost in these woods is not a simple task.[/color]" The Medic witheld what else she knew about the forest for now. "[color=springgreen]Leave the woman with us, you two. We'll try the door again while you go talk to the person in the tractor.[/color]" Wu nodded in agreement, still disturbed that another Operator was missing. - [u]Radiant[/u] and [u]Medivac[/u] left the madwoman with the three Operators back at the house that reeked of chickens. The odor could still be smelled at the tractor but it was a bit weaker. As soon as they arrived, a scared and raspy male voice greeted them. "[color=lightgray]I-it's not my f-fault! I know it doesn't s-sound, t-too great... My v-violin... it's, it's a bit... broken. I w-on't play a-anymore... S-sorry... Um, sir and ma'am? H-have you b-been in that hut? The Chicken Lady's h-hut? You're not afraid of h-her? Y-you're b-brave![/color]" The person was still under the tractor, his features hidden. "[color=lightgray]And... H-have you seen h-her? The Pretty Lady? S-she's... the most beautiful lady in the w-world! I w-watch her through the cracks in the window. S-she ch-changes when I watch her... g-gets more beautiful. I p-play for her... I want her to be h-happy... Because s-she doesn't seem to be... The Chicken L-lady locked her in that r-room... She... she keeps her there! She envies her! She won't allow anyone to s-see her... E-even me! I t-tried to r-r-release her... But the Chicken Lady! She ch-chased me off! S-she always does![/color]"